IDF Investigating Incident of Jesus Statue Destruction in Southern Lebanon
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is investigating an image circulating on social media showing a soldier smashing a statue of Jesus Christ with a hammer. The photo, originally posted by Palestinian journalist Younis Tirawi, is believed to have been taken in the area of Dibil, in the Bint Jbeil District of southern Lebanon. The official page of the Dibil town shared the photo of the damaged statue alongside a quote from the Bible. The IDF has confirmed the authenticity of the image and stated that the incident is very serious and does not align with the values expected of its forces.
In its statement, the IDF said the incident is being investigated by the Northern Command and will be handled according to the findings. The Israeli military emphasized it has no intention of damaging civilian infrastructure, including buildings or religious symbols, and stated that its personnel are assisting the community in restoring the statue.
This incident sparked various reactions, including from some former U.S. Congress members. Separately, it has been reported that several previous incidents have occurred where Christian sites were affected during conflicts in the region, including in Gaza and Lebanon.
https://www.gelora.co/2026/04/